Former NASA astronaut, alumna returns to Colorado State

11:57 PM,
Oct. 5, 2012

Engineer, former NASA astronaut and Colorado State University alumna Mary Cleave, left, listens as RamTrax coordinator Jennifer Lobermeier talks about campus history on Friday during a tour of the Oval.

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Former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave has traveled nearly 4 million miles and orbited Earth 172 times. She's seen the effects of deforestation and water pollution from space. And she's worked among senior staff at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

All things considered, she seemed right at home Friday morning, walking around the historic Oval and soaking in historic facts about her first alma mater.

Back on campus for Homecoming this weekend, things have changed since Cleave, 65, graduated from Colorado State University in 1969. Professors' commitment to student success hasn't ...